Sunday, 3 February 2013

Eddie Pipper

Soon
to turn nine, Eddie Pipper hopes to get a pet penguin for his birthday. The
fact it’s an unrealistic aim in terms of species doesn’t matter. See, in the
past, Eddie forgot to latch the mouse cage (they escaped) and to feed the goldfish
(they died), so Mum said no more pets. Still, the penguin obsessed dreamer
hopes that if he proves to Mum and Dad that he’s responsible he’ll get a
penguin.

At
story opening, readers see Eddie’s creativity with his obsession. Not only is he
making a penguin out of paper mache, he dressed up his little sister as one. Sadly,
he forgot that he left her in the blow up pool with ice in the water. And he
used paper from Dad’s study to paper mache with. Paper containing plans for an
origami competition Dad was entering. Origami is Dad’s obsession. Like father,
like son. But this helps Dad understand Eddie a little better.

As a fan of Brian’s work I was pleased to see the
writing bore her signature humour. I laughed out loud, not only in regard to
Eddie’s action but also that of others. Like when Mum finds he placed his
sister in a pool of ice and forgot her, she points out the evidence like so, ‘Fridge
door. Open. You?’ Eddie nodded. Why did his mum talk like she was texting him?
He was right in front of her.

While
it may at first seem that Eddie is simply forgetful, the story unfolds to show how
his obsession overtakes and consumes his thoughts to the exclusion of practical
things like remembering his school bus money or his swimmers and towel the day
of the swim certificate test. Readers who have longed for something special not
quite within reach will empathise and cheer dear Eddie on.

When
he arrives home late for his birthday party, Mum is pleased to learn it’s not
because he forgot about it but because he stopped to help an abandoned dog. This
results in Eddie winding up with a pet. Not the one he hoped for but one he’ll
have much fun with.

Colourful
illustrations within each of the nine chapters break up the well-spaced text,
making it most appealing to readers finding their feet in the world of chapter
books. High quality paper used in production of this Little Rockets series, for
readers aged 7+, will prove excellent for very likely repeated library borrowing.